Convertible carrier frame for shipping containers

ABSTRACT

The container carrier on a crane for transferring containers toward and from containerships and the like has an elongated rectangular frame from whose corners two pairs of arms project longitudinally of the frame, the arms of each pair being inclined relative to each other at a small acute angle, their free ends carrying couplings for securing a container to the frame, and hydraulic motors moving the arms longitudinally in tubular guides fixed on the frame so that the arms may be adjusted for containers differing both in length and width. To accommodate the different containers, the couplings have interchangeable and/or convertible container engaging elements.

Elite its at 1 Tax et al.

[ 51 May 22, 1973 CONVERTIBLE CARRIER FRAME FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS [73] Assignee: said Tax, by said Franke, Munich,

Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 12, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 171,196

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 26, 1970 Germany ..P 20 42 357.8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,558,176 Fathauer et a1 ..294/67 R 3,534,989 10/1970 Yonkers ..287/20.3 2,859,056 11/1958 Marks l ..287/20.3 3,486,787 12/1969 Campbell ..248/119 R X 3,436,113 4/1969 Zweifel et al. 294/67 R Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Att0rneyl(elman & Berman [57] ABSTRACT The container carrier on a crane for transferring containers toward and from containerships and the like has an elongated rectangular frame from whose corners two pairs of arms project longitudinally of the frame, the arms of each pair being inclined relative to each other at a small acute angle, their free ends carrying couplings for securing a container to the frame, and hydraulic motors moving the arms longitudinally in tubular guides fixed on the frame so that the arms may be adjusted for containers differing both in length and width. To accommodate the different containers, the couplings have interchangeable and/or convertible container engaging elements,

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEL M22 975' '3 7 34. 55 5 SHLEI 2 OF 5 IN V EN TOR PATENTEL WY 2 21973 SHEET 4 OF 5 INVENTOR5 1 n5 T rx PATENTEL -3 SHLET S [If 5 INVENTORS #1": 7 1x 118 (431L511 'ILBb/ M ,aehha CONVERTIBLE CARRIER FRAME FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS This invention relates to apparatus for handling large containers of the type transported on containerships, and more particularly to a carrier frame which may be used on transfer cranes for containers, and to the releasable couplings on the frame by means of which the containers are attached to the frame, the containers having dimensions of several yards in each direction.

Most containers employed at this time are of two sizes, and the containers of one size differ from those of the other size not only in their horizontal length, but also in their horizontal width. While carrier frames or spreaders capable of handling containers of different length have been in successful use for some time, these frames are limited to containers having the same width. Further modifications of such frames have been proposed to make them adaptable for containers which differ not only in length, but also in width, but the modified frames are complex and therefore not only costly to build and maintain, but apt to break down under the rough operating conditions to which they are normally exposed.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a simple, rugged, and reliable container carrier to which containers of at least two types may be coupled readily, the two types differing in length and width.

Another object is the provision of a container carrier capable of being coupled to containers which further differ in the configuration of the receptacles engaged by the coupling elements of of carrier.

With these objects and others in view, the container carrier of the invention has a rigid frame normally suspended from a hoist in a horizontal plane, pulleys being mounted for this purpose on the frame in longitudinally spaced relationship for rotation about axes which are at least approximately parallel to the plane of the frame. The frame is equipped with two pairs of elongated arms, each arm having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portions of the two pairs project beyond respective longitudinally terminal portions of the frame in the direction of frame elongation, and guide means on the frame engage the second end portions of each pair for guiding the arms of the pair in respective paths substantially parallel to the afore-mentioned plane and converging at a small, acute angle longitudinally of the frame. The arms may be secured in respective fixed positions relative to the guide means, and their first end portions carry each a container coupling.

Other features, additional objects, and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will readily be appreciated as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in connection with the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a container carrier of the invention in top plan view;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate respective receptacles on different shipping containers in plan view, and on a scale larger than that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a coupling of the frame of FIG. 1 in elevation and partly in section on the scale of FIGS. 2 and FIG. 5 illustrates the device of FIG. 4 in section on the line V V;

FIG. 6 shows the apparatus of FIG. 4 in an exploded perspective view on a yet larger scale;

FIG. 7 is a perspective, fragmentary view of another coupling for the frame of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8 and 10 are elevational, fragmentary views of the device of FIG. 7 in two different operating conditions; and

FIG. 9 shows the apparatus of FIG. 8 in bottom view in the direction of the arrow IX.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is seen an elongated, rectangular spreader frame 10 of steel beams reinforced with transverse and partly diagonal members. Tubular guides 12 are fixedly fastened to the four corners of the frame in such a manner that the axes of the two guides 12 on each longitudinally terminal portion of the frame 10 converge longitudinally of the frame at a small acute angle in a plane substantially parallel to the normally horizontal plane of the frame 10.

An arm 14 is axially slidable in each guide 12, a first longitudinal end portion of each arm 14 projecting beyond the associated terminal portion of the frame 10, and a second longitudinal portion being attached to a double-acting hydraulic jack 16 which may shift the attached arm longitudinally in the corresponding guide 12 and secure it in its shifted position. The hydraulic pump, pressure lines, remotely operated control valves, and other necessary elements of the hydraulic circuit for each jack 16 have been omitted since they are conventional with hydraulic motors of the type illustrated, and not in themselves part of this invention.

The free, first end portions of the arms 14 carry respective couplings 18 for attaching the four top corners of a rectangular shipping container (not shown) to the frame 10.

Two sets of pulleys 58 are mounted on the frame in longitudinally spaced relationship for rotation about a common axis which is parallel to the plane of the frame. The pulleys 58 are the only illustrated elements of a basically known rope or cable suspension system which permits the frame to be suspended from a hoist in its normal operative position. While the axes of the pulleys 58 coincide and are precisely horizontal, the pulley axes may be somewhat inclined relative to the horizontal and may be offset from each other, as is known in itself and not relevant to this invention.

Each of the four identical couplings 18 on the frame 10 may be shifted by the associated jack 16 between the extended position of the associated arm 14, illustrated in fully drawn lines, and a retracted position shown in broken lines, the controls of the jacks 16 being linked in a non-illustrated conventional manner to make the arms 14 move in unison between the two illustrated positions. As is evident from FIG. I, not only the spacing of the two pairs of couplings longitudinally of the frame 10, but also the transverse spacing of the couplings in each pair is changed by the action of the jacks 16 because of the oblique orientation of the guides 12 relative to the longitudinal, vertical plane of symmetry of the frame 10. The dimensions of the frame 10 and of the arms 14, and the angular positions of the guides 12 are chosen in such a manner that the couplings 18 may be vertically aligned with cooperating receptacles in the four top corners of the two, most commonly employed sizes of containers which differ from each other not only in length, but also in width, and may further differ in the configuration of their receptacles which cooperate with the couplings 18.

Typical receptacles are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. They are apertured structures of heavy steel plate fixedly mounted on the containers, only one receptacle of each of the two most common types being shown. The top plate 20 of the receptacle seen in FIG. 2 has an aper ture 22 in the shape of an elongated rectangle having outwardly bulging short sides and similar outward bulges centered in the long sides. The top wall of the container, not itself shown in FIG. 2, has a recess under the plate 20 larger than the aperture 22, as indicated in broken lines.

The top plate 20' of the receptacle illustrated in FIG. 3 has an aperture 22' differing from the aperture 22 by the absence of bulges in the longer sides of its approximately rectangular shape. Whereas the aperture 22 is approximately centered in the plate 20, the aperture 22' is offset from the center toward one edge of the plate 20'.

One of the four identical couplings 18 on the frame is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. It has an engagement head 24 fixedly secured to the lower end of a stem 26. The head 24 is a heavy plate having the approximate shape of an isoceles triangle. Its thickness is substantially smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical stem 26, and the head 24 is set into a diametrical slot at the lower end of the stem 26. The upwardly directed base edge of the head 24 is somewhat shorter than the length of the aperture 22 but longer than the width of the aperture as measured across the bulges in the long sides of the aperture. The head may be inserted through the aperture, and locked behind the plate by being turned 90, thereby coupling the container to the frame 10.

The upper third of the stem 26 has a circumferential groove 30 bounded by two coaxial and axially consecutive frusto-conical faces of the stem 26 whose smaller bases are joined so that the two faces flare axially away from each other.

The upper portion of the stem 26 is normally fastened to an arm 14 by a short upright tube 28 fixedly attached to the free first end portion of the arm in a manner evident from FIG.1, but not shown in detail, welding being the preferred attaching method. The wall thickness of the outwardly cylindrical tube 28 increases in a downward direction so that the bore of the tube 28 has a face 36 which tapers conically in a downward direction. The cross section of the bore is sufficiently greater than that of the stem 26 to accommodate two identical wedges 32a, 32b having flat contact faces.

' When these contact faces are superimposed on each other, the two wedges jointly form a split ring 32, best seen in FIG. 5, whose outer face 34 is conical and shaped for conforming engagement with the inner face 36 in the bore of the fixed tube 28, Whereas the inner passage of the split ring has the approximate converging and diverging shape of an hour glass which fits the contour of the groove 30.

In mounting the stem 26 in the fixed tube 28, the stem is slipped upward through the tube until the grooved portion is above the tube and may be enveloped by the wedges 32a, 32b. When the stem carrying the wedges assembled into the split ring 32 is lowered thereafter, the stem 26 is ultimately wedged in the tube 28 by the split ring 32, and the applied load of the container secures the firm axial seating of the stem in the tube 28. Yet, the stem may be turned about its vertical, longitudinal axis for lockingly engaging the hammershaped head 24 in the receptacle illustrated in FIG. 2, the central bulges in the long sides of the aperture 22 accommodating the lower end of the stem 16. The ring 32 may be split into more than two wedges in an obvious manner, if so desired.

The aperture 22 accommodates a non-illustrated engagement head on a coupling closely similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 6 in which. the stem part is either flat over its entire length and not significantly thicker than the engagement head, as shown below in FIGS. 7 and It), or which is at least reduced in thickness at its lower end to the thickness of the engagement head in a manner obvious from the configuration of the aperture 22. The non-illustrated stem and head may be substituted in the tube 28 in a manner obvious from the preceding description of the wedges 32a, 32b, and the couplings 18 may thus be modified quickly and simply to suit specific receptacles on containers to be lifted.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 permits conversion of a coupling for matching engagement with different container receptacles in an even simpler manner which does not require, but may advantageously be combined with, the quickly releasably fastening arrangement described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

The coupling 118 partly illustrated in FIG. 7 has an engagement head 124 attached to the lower end of a stem 126, the head and stem being dimensioned for passage of the head 124 through the aperture 22' in FIG. 3 with little clearance. A sleeve is coaxially slidable on the stem 126, and is retained in the position of FIG. 7 by means not illustrated, such as a hydraulic actuator analogous to the jacks 16. The lower end of the sleeve 140 is diametrically slotted so as to form two axially terminal segments 142a, 142b. At the upper end of the slot separating the segments 1420, 142b, two hooks 144a, l44b project radially from the sleeve 140 in opposite radial directions, the hooks having respective radially directed portions 146a, 1461; and axially directed portions 148a, 148b depending from the radially outer ends of the portions 146a, 146b.

When it is intended to convert the coupling 118 to a shape suitable for cooperation with the receptacle seen in FIG. 2, the sleeve is moved axially downward on the stem 126. The segments 142a, 142b of the sleeve 140 fit over the exposed face portions 150a, l50b of the stem 126 between the two radially projecting parts of the engagement head 124 so as to be axially coextensive with the head and the face portions 150a, 15Gb. The radially directed portions 146a, 146b of the hooks 144a, 144b axially abut against the radial top surfaces 152a, l52b of the head 124 on opposite sides of the stem 126, and the faces of the depending hook portions 1480, 148b which are directed toward the stem 126 slide over corresponding axial faces 154a, 154b of the head 124, so that the sleeve 140 and the elements mounted thereon combine with the head 124 to form an enlarged head assembly closely similar in shape to the afore-described head 24 for engagement with the receptacle shown in FIG. 2 in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 4 6.

The upper end of the stem 126 has not been shown in FIGS. 7 to 10. It may be provided with a groove for cooperation with the tube 28 and the wedges 32a, 32b so that the stem 126 may be released quickly from the associated arm 14 for greatest flexibility of the apparatus, or it may be welded directly to the arm 14 if the range of head configurations provided by the sleeve 140 is adequate for handling all types of containers for which the frame is suitable.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications in the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for shipping containers comprising, in combination:

a. an elongated frame extending in a plane;

b. suspension means for suspending said frame from a hoist in an operative position in which said plane is at least approximately horizontal,

1. said suspension means including a plurality of pulley members mounted on said frame in longitudinally spaced relationship for rotation about respective axes approximately parallel to said plane;

c. two pairs of elongated arms, the arms of each pair having respective longitudinal first end portions projecting beyond respective longitudinally terminal portions of said frame in the direction of elongation of the frame, and respective second end portions;

d. guide means on said frame engaging the second end portions of each pair for guiding the arms of said pair in respective paths substantially parallel to said plane and converging at a small acute angle longitudinally of said frame;

e. securing means for securing said arms in respective fixed positions relative to said guide means; and

f. a container coupling on each of said first end portions.

2. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide means include a plurality of tubular guide members mounted on said frame and movably receiving respective arms.

3. A carrier as set forth in claim 2, wherein said securing means include hydraulic motor means associated with each arm and connected to the associated arm for shifting the arm in the path thereof and for 1 fixedly securing the arm in each of a plurality of longitudinally offset positions in said path.

4. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said couplings has a fixed portion mounted on the associated arm, a set of engagement members shaped for engagement with receptacles on respective containers to be coupled to said frame, and fastening means for interchangeably fastening the engagement members of said set to said fixed portion.

5. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein said fixed portion is formed with a bore having an axis transverse to said plane and tapering in an axial direction, said engagement members each have a stem portion dimensioned to be received in said bore and formed with a circumferential groove, and said fastening means in- 6. A carrier as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fas- 6 tening means further include a second wedge member substantially identical with said first-mentioned wedge member, said wedge members having respective contact faces and jointly constituting a split ring when the contact faces thereof are superimposed, said ring being dimensioned for being conformingly received in said bore and having a central passage dimensioned for conformingly receiving the part of said stem portion formed with said circumferential groove.

7. A carrier as set forth in claim 6, wherein said groove is bounded by two coaxial, frustoconical faces of said stem portion, said faces axially flaring away from each other.

8. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein said engagement members each have an elongated stem portion, said fastening means engaging one longitudinal end of said stem portion for fastening the engagement member to said frame, engaging means on the other end of said stern portion for engaging a container to be coupled to said frame, and converting means for modifying the configuration of said engaging means to match a container to be engaged.

9. A carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein said other end of said stem portion is formed with a head constituting said engaging means, and said converting means include a sleeve member axially movable on said stem portion toward and away from an operative position contiguously adjacent said head, and a plurality of converting elements on said sleeve member conformingly engaging said head and jointly therewith forming enlarged engaging means in the operative position of said sleeve member.

10. A carrier as set forth in claim 9, wherein said head is approximately hammer-shaped, said converting elements including two hook-shaped elements having each a portion extending radially away from said sleeve member and a depending portion extending axially from said radially extending portion, said head having two radial top faces respectively engaged by said radially extending portions and two terminal axial faces engaged by said depending portions of said hook-shaped elements when said sleeve member is in said operative position thereof.

11. A carrier as set forth in claim 10, wherein said sleeve member is formed with a slot diametrically extending therethrough and dividing the axial portion of the sleeve member remote from said frame into two segments, said segments being axially coextensive with said head in the operative position of said sleeve member.

12. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein one of said engagement members has a stern portion of approximately cylindrical shape and a plate shaped head portion coextensive with an end part of said stem portion and having a thickness smaller than the diameter of said end part, said thickness and said diameter extending in a common direction, whereby said end part projects beyond said head portion in the direction of said diameter.

13. A coupling arrangement for coupling a shipping container to the carrier frame of a hoist comprising, in combination:

a. a stem member having an axis;

b. a hammer-shaped head member on one axial end of said stem member;

c. a sleeve member coaxially movable on said stem member toward and away from an operative position contiguously adjacent said head; and

d. a plurality of converting elements on said sleeve member conformingly engaging said head member 7 8 and jointly therewith forming an enlarged head formingly engaged by said depending portions, similar in shape to said head member in the operawhen said sleeve member is in the operative positive position of said sleeve member, tion thereof. 1. said converting elements including two hook- 14. A coupling arrangement as set forth in claim 13,

shaped elements having respective portions exwherein said sleeve member is formed with a slot diatending radially away from said sleeve member in metrically extending therethrough and dividing the diametrically opposite directions, and respective axial portion of the sleeve member adjacent said head depending portions extending axially from said member into two segments constituting additional conradially extending portions, verting elements, said segments being axially coexten- 2. said head member having two radial top faces 10 sive with said head member in the operative position of respectively abutting against said radially extendsaid sleeve member.

ing portions, and two terminal axial faces con- 

1. A carrier for shipping containers comprising, in combination: a. an elongated frame extending in a plane; b. suspension means for suspending said frame from a hoisT in an operative position in which said plane is at least approximately horizontal,
 1. said suspension means including a plurality of pulley members mounted on said frame in longitudinally spaced relationship for rotation about respective axes approximately parallel to said plane; c. two pairs of elongated arms, the arms of each pair having respective longitudinal first end portions projecting beyond respective longitudinally terminal portions of said frame in the direction of elongation of the frame, and respective second end portions; d. guide means on said frame engaging the second end portions of each pair for guiding the arms of said pair in respective paths substantially parallel to said plane and converging at a small acute angle longitudinally of said frame; e. securing means for securing said arms in respective fixed positions relative to said guide means; and f. a container coupling on each of said first end portions.
 2. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide means include a plurality of tubular guide members mounted on said frame and movably receiving respective arms.
 2. said head member having two radial top faces respectively abutting against said radially extending portions, and two terminal axial faces conformingly engaged by said depending portions, when said sleeve member is in the operative position thereof.
 3. A carrier as set forth in claim 2, wherein said securing means include hydraulic motor means associated with each arm and connected to the associated arm for shifting the arm in the path thereof and for fixedly securing the arm in each of a plurality of longitudinally offset positions in said path.
 4. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said couplings has a fixed portion mounted on the associated arm, a set of engagement members shaped for engagement with receptacles on respective containers to be coupled to said frame, and fastening means for interchangeably fastening the engagement members of said set to said fixed portion.
 5. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein said fixed portion is formed with a bore having an axis transverse to said plane and tapering in an axial direction, said engagement members each have a stem portion dimensioned to be received in said bore and formed with a circumferential groove, and said fastening means including a wedge member having two faces shaped for conforming engagement with said groove and with said bore respectively.
 6. A carrier as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fastening means further include a second wedge member substantially identical with said first-mentioned wedge member, said wedge members having respective contact faces and jointly constituting a split ring when the contact faces thereof are superimposed, said ring being dimensioned for being conformingly received in said bore and having a central passage dimensioned for conformingly receiving the part of said stem portion formed with said circumferential groove.
 7. A carrier as set forth in claim 6, wherein said groove is bounded by two coaxial, frustoconical faces of said stem portion, said faces axially flaring away from each other.
 8. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein said engagement members each have an elongated stem portion, said fastening means engaging one longitudinal end of said stem portion for fastening the engagement member to said frame, engaging means on the other end of said stem portion for engaging a container to be coupled to said frame, and converting means for modifying the configuration of said engaging means to match a container to be engaged.
 9. A carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein said other end of said stem portion is formed with a head constituting said engaging means, and said converting means include a sleeve member axially movable on said stem portion toward and away from an operative position contiguously adjacent said head, and a plurality of converting elements on said sleeve member conformingly engaging said head and jointly therewith forming enlarged engaging means in the operative position of said sleeve member.
 10. A carrier as set forth in claim 9, wherein said head is approximately hammer-shaped, said converting elements including two hook-shaped elEments having each a portion extending radially away from said sleeve member and a depending portion extending axially from said radially extending portion, said head having two radial top faces respectively engaged by said radially extending portions and two terminal axial faces engaged by said depending portions of said hook-shaped elements when said sleeve member is in said operative position thereof.
 11. A carrier as set forth in claim 10, wherein said sleeve member is formed with a slot diametrically extending therethrough and dividing the axial portion of the sleeve member remote from said frame into two segments, said segments being axially coextensive with said head in the operative position of said sleeve member.
 12. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein one of said engagement members has a stem portion of approximately cylindrical shape and a plate shaped head portion coextensive with an end part of said stem portion and having a thickness smaller than the diameter of said end part, said thickness and said diameter extending in a common direction, whereby said end part projects beyond said head portion in the direction of said diameter.
 13. A coupling arrangement for coupling a shipping container to the carrier frame of a hoist comprising, in combination: a. a stem member having an axis; b. a hammer-shaped head member on one axial end of said stem member; c. a sleeve member coaxially movable on said stem member toward and away from an operative position contiguously adjacent said head; and d. a plurality of converting elements on said sleeve member conformingly engaging said head member and jointly therewith forming an enlarged head similar in shape to said head member in the operative position of said sleeve member,
 14. A coupling arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said sleeve member is formed with a slot diametrically extending therethrough and dividing the axial portion of the sleeve member adjacent said head member into two segments constituting additional converting elements, said segments being axially coextensive with said head member in the operative position of said sleeve member. 